Booze & Brews with a View: 8 Must-Visit Wineries & Breweries in Loudoun County, Virginia

It doesn't matter if you are wine lover, a craft beer connoisseur, or if you happen to appreciate small batch spirits- you can craft the perfect booze-filled itinerary in Loudoun County, Virginia...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Loudoun. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

After almost a year of Covid-induced homebody-ness, I was finally ready to venture out on a girls' trip last month. A little road trip to one of my favorite areas of Virginia became the obvious choice for our first girls' getaway in over a year. Not only is Loudoun County home to some of the best wine country in the state of Virginia, but their local foodie scene has recently seen an explosion in growth when it comes to locally owned and operated breweries and distilleries as well. 

It doesn't matter if you are wine lover, a craft beer connoisseur, or if you happen to appreciate small batch spirits- you can craft the perfect booze-filled itinerary (responsibly, of course!) in Loudoun County, Virginia. Loudoun County boasts over 30 breweries, almost 40 wineries, and about 7 distilleries & cideries, but that number continues to grow every year.

While our two and a half day girls' getaway didn't allow us to try every winery, brewery, and distillery in the county, we did get to visit at least 8 on the list. All 8 of these wineries & breweries (plus 1 distillery!) had to meet certain discerning criteria to make it on our girls' trip list ;) :

• They had to have plenty of outdoor spaces and seating. I mean, what is seriously better than being able to sip on a glass of pink bubbles or enjoying a cold draft beer on a patio or deck?
• They had to be locally owned and operated.
• And being nestled in the rolling, green foothills of the Shenandoah, a beautiful view was definitely a must!

The Best Places to Eat & Drink in Delaware County, Ohio

From locally owned restaurants, to breweries, & everything in between, here are my top 7 recommendations for the best places to eat & drink in Delaware County, Ohio...

This post was created in partnership with Destination Delaware County Ohio. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

If someone would have asked me at the beginning of May what my recommendation would be for a good travel destination in Ohio for foodies, Delaware probably would have not been the first Ohio city that would have come to mind for me. Having lived in the Columbus area for over 8 years, I was familiar with the Delaware area but didn't venture that way much when I was resident of Franklin County. I knew Alum Creek State Park was up that way, but that was about the extent of my knowledge of Delaware County.

That all changed when the kiddos & I visited the Delaware, Ohio area at the end of May earlier this summer. Over the past 10 years, the historic downtown area of Delaware has grown by leaps & bounds. And with this growth has also come the birth of a vibrant local restaurant & brewery scene. 

While we definitely didn't get to experience all of the deliciousness that Delaware County has to offer during our stay, we did get a good enough taste of the area. From locally owned restaurants, to breweries, & everything in between, here are my top 7 recommendations for the best places to eat & drink in the county... 

Exploring the Local Brewery Scene in Columbus, Ohio

With over 40 breweries & microbreweries, Columbus, Ohio is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for craft beer enthusiasts...

This post was created in partnership with Experience Columbus. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

When I moved back to my home state of West Virginia after living in the Columbus, Ohio area for 8 years, Columbus was just then starting to experience a growing craft beer movement. While local breweries were very few in number (think maybe Barley's, Columbus Brewing Company, & Elevator Brewing downtown), craft beer tap takeovers in local bars had started to become more & more popular. In fact, these tap takeovers is how I first experienced and fell in love with craft beers.

Fast forward 8 years later, and the craft beer scene in Columbus has totally evolved into a full-fledged local brewery movement. In fact, there are now over 40 breweries & counting in the Columbus area alone! I knew I had to get back to C-bus to explore the local brewery scene. I spent two days in the city- even embarking on a guided brewery tour- and I didn't even get to a fourth of the breweries in the city!

Even though I didn't get to experience everything Columbus's local brewery scene has to offer on this most recent visit, I did get a good taste of what the city has been brewing up since I moved away. Today I am sharing a few of my favorite craft beer gems from Ohio's state capital...

The Ultimate How-To Guide to the Butler County Donut Trail

Located just north of Cincinnati, the Butler County Donut Trail is a donut lover's dream come true! This is the ultimate how-to guide to conquering this countywide culinary trail...

This post was created in partnership with the Butler County Visitors Bureau. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

** Please check the Butler County Donut Trail website for an updated list of participating donut shops as they may change each year. This post was originally published in April 2018, so some donut shops listed below may no longer be open or participating in the trail.

Located just north of Cincinnati, Butler County, Ohio probably isn't the first destination that you think of when looking for a foodie-centric getaway. But a unique culinary trail that the county started in 2016 is quickly putting them on the map & on the radar of foodie travelers everywhere- their Donut Trail that spans 80 miles in over 6 different cities of the county. Butler County lays claim to one of the highest number of donut shops per capita in the Midwest. 

Yes, folks. Dreams do come true. A trail filled with homemade donuts from 12 different local donut shops does exist. Now this isn't exactly a hiking trail (although you can bike it on September 1st of this year if you would like). This is a load the family in the car and cart yourselves from donut shop to donut shop until you pop kind of a trail. 

When the Butler County Visitors Bureau reached out to me inviting my family & I to take on their Donut Trail, I knew we were more than up for the challenge. Plus, donuts! Hello, people. How could I possibly say no? ;)

McAllen, Texas: An Unexpected Foodie Destination

McAllen, Texas has become an unexpected culinary incubator in southern Texas- melding traditional Tex Mex & Mexican cuisine with a Texan twist on the farm to table dining experience...

This post was created in partnership with Visit McAllen. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

When I traveled to to the city of McAllen in the southern tip of Texas last November, I expected to find some amazing local Tex Mex & Mexican restaurants. After all, McAllen is located in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, just a short 10 minute drive from the Mexican border. And while I did sample some amazing traditional Tex Mex fare during my stay, I was truly surprised by the number of restaurants in this city that had embraced the farm to table concept in new, exciting, & delicious ways. 

I was introduced to a bodega that proudly cures it's own meats. To a restaurant & bar in the New American style of dining that prides itself on it's cocktails inspired by locally sourced ingredients. To a wine bar & bistro that is redefining fine dining in the Rio Grande Valley area by bringing the freshness of the valley to each and every one of their dishes. 

The local food scene of McAllen, Texas definitely far surpasses the expectations that you may have of a just north of the border Texan city. This bustling metropolis, which attracts about 18 million visitors each year, has become somewhat of a culinary incubator- melding traditional Tex Mex & Mexican cuisine with a Texan twist on the farm to table dining experience...

Charlottesville, Virginia: The Perfect Couples Getaway for Foodies

Breweries, wineries, & a growing local food scene in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains makes the historical city of Charlottesville, VA the perfect destination for a foodie couples getaway... 

This post was created in partnership with Visit Charlottesville. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

Even though my husband & I love to take trips with the kiddos to explore new destinations, every once in a while we like to get away- just the two of us. We try to sneak in a couple's getaway at least 2-3 times a year. These one-on-one trips don't have to be far away or even lengthy. Sometimes, a 3-4 hour road trip with a few days to explore a new (or long-time favorite) city on our own is all that we need. 

When Visit Charlottesville reached out to me about coming to visit their city & the surrounding Albemarle County for a few days with just my husband, we jumped at the chance. The Charlottesville area of Virginia had been on our travel list for well over a year now. We were drawn to the history of the area (hello, Thomas Jefferson's breathtaking estate is located there!) as well as to the city's culinary scene & the growing number of wineries & breweries popping up all throughout the 700-acre county.

During our 3-day visit to Charlottesville, we discovered that the local food & drink scene permeates just about every area & place that you visit in the city and in the surrounding Albemarle County. Even the two historical sites we visited had a foodie focus to them...

Where to Eat & Drink in Fort Wayne, Indiana

From ice cream stuffed donuts to pizza by the slice to locally brewed beer, here is Where to Eat & Drink in Fort Wayne, Indiana... 

This post was created in partnership with Visit Fort Wayne. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

When my family & I visited Fort Wayne, Indiana this past summer, I wasn't sure what to expect from this Midwestern city. It hadn't necessarily been a destination that had been on our radar for a family getaway. After spending 3 days there exploring the sites & the local food scene, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that Fort Wayne was a pleasant surprise- definitely a family friendly destination that far exceeded my expectations. 

Even though there is much to do in and around the city (think baseball games, art museums, science centers, zoos, kayaking, & more), I was most excited to discover & dig into the some of the best local food & booze that the city had to offer. And Fort Wayne certainly did not disappoint, folks! ;) 

We got to experience a true taste of Fort Wayne during our 3 day stay in the city. From kid friendly to pizza by the slice to decadent sweet treats, Fort Wayne's local food scene ended up being way more diverse & delicious than I could have ever possibly imagined prior to our a little family road trip to the Midwest.

A Foodie's Guide to Magnolia Market

Magnolia Market isn't just for the DIY addicts & HGTV fans. With a delectable bakery & food truck park, this market in Waco, Texas is a must-visit destination for foodies too...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

I will be the first to admit it- I don't watch HGTV all that often, and I have never caught an entire episode of Fixer Upper. (I know- GASP, right?) 

I mean, I know who Chip & Joanna are. I have seen parts of Fixer Upper a few times (my parents are HGTV addicts & love the show, so I have caught bits & pieces of it when visiting them). 

So when I tacked on the day excursion to Magnolia Market with my ticket to the Indulge Conference earlier this month, it wasn't because I am a fan girl or wanted to make the ultimate DIY pilgrimage to the home decor mecca of Texas. I wanted to go for one reason & one reason only- the food, folks. ;)

While the food was my main goal of visiting Magnolia Market, I came away with an unexpected fun & laid back experience as well. There is much more to Magnolia Market than just the food. And home decor & DIY inspiration is not all you will find when exploring this famous pair of silos. But let's chat about the food first, shall we?

The Top 6 Traveling Frugal Foodie Mama Posts of 2016

From travel tips to historical destinations to amazing family dining, here are the Top 6 Traveling Frugal Foodie Mama Posts of 2016 as clicked on & shared by you...

When I decided to publish my first ever travel post on Frugal Foodie Mama in 2013, I really didn't set out with the intention of merging my predominantly food & recipe blog with a family friendly travel blog. My family and I had stayed at a bed & breakfast in Virginia for a little weekend getaway, and I was impressed with how the innkeepers had went above and beyond to accommodate us. I wanted to show my appreciation and gratitude, so I thought why not write up a little review of our stay on my blog and share it with my social media followers as a way to thank them for their generous hospitality? I had no idea how my loyal readers would react to a travel piece, but I figured it was just one post so why not?

Luckily for me, my first ever travel review was well received by you all. But I wasn't entirely convinced that I should delve head first into travel writing, so it took me over a year to write and publish my second ever travel post. When that post was also pretty well received, it dawned on me that I might be onto to something here and Traveling Frugal Foodie Mama (or #TravelingFFM, as it is known on social media) was born! :)

Since that time, I have published a total of 39 travel posts to the blog- 16 of those being from 2016 alone. Yep, I really upped my travel game in the past year, folks. While I am not sharing all 16 travel posts from last year with you all here today, I am sharing my top 6 travel posts from 2016. Hopefully, you all will find a little family travel inspiration for 2017 below... 

Pass the Pork- From the Farm to Your Table

From the farm to your dinner table, here is a peek into what goes into real pig farming in the United States...

A big thank you to the National Pork Board, the National Pork Producers Council, & the Minnesota Pork Board for hosting me for Pass the Pork 2016. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

I have to admit that sometimes being a food & travel blogger is a pretty cool gig to have. Every so often I get an invite to travel to a different state, eat some amazing food, learn a little about a city or certain area of food production, and all while getting to hang out with a fabulous group of fellow bloggers. A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to travel to Minneapolis as part of the Pass the Pork blogger tour with the National Pork Board. While I am no stranger to buying, cooking up, & enjoying pork (have you guys seen all my recipes using bacon yet?? ;) ), I didn't know much about the actual production side of the pork industry, aka pig farming. I have always been one who has jumped at the chance to see firsthand just exactly where my food comes from, so I was excited that a visit to an actual Minnesota pig farm was on the trip's agenda.

The folks at Wakefield Pork graciously extended a full tour of their pig farming facility to the bloggers attending the Pass the Pork tour, and no question was off limits. I was really impressed with how transparent and gracious they were in explaining everything that goes into their pig farming process from breeding to market... 

Planning a Getaway to Grapevine, Texas

Experience luxury, delicious Texan cuisine, and a brief step back in time in the historic & charming town of Grapevine in North Texas...

All accommodations, meals, & experiences were provided courtesy of Travel Media Showcase & its sponsors. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

Last month I had the pleasure of attending Travel Media Showcase for the first time in the lovely city of Grapevine, Texas, which is located halfway between Dallas & Forth Worth. While I spent a good part of my first visit to the state of Texas at the actual showcase events, I did get a little time to explore the resort we were staying at and to experience the charms & tastes of Grapevine. 

But before I get into the details of my Grapevine Getaway, let me tell you all a little bit about Travel Media Showcase (TMS). The showcase (which is in its 16th year) is an opportunity for travel writers, journalists, & bloggers to network and learn from each other as well meet and interact with representatives from convention & visitors' bureaus (CVB's) from across the country. 

Not only are those in travel media given the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with the CVB's of their choice, but the showcase provides plenty of opportunities for writers and CVB reps to interact and get to know each other on a more personal level whether that be over a cocktail or as part of a local tour of the area. The connections that you can make at the Travel Media Showcase with other travel writers as well as with those representing the visitors' bureaus are simply invaluable. So much better than a back & forth over email, don't you think? ;)

Though my visit to Grapevine was far too brief, I did come away with a few travel nuggets to share with you all about the area...

How to Eat & Drink Your Way Through Pittsburgh in 48 Hours

From the top of Mount Washington down to the Strip District, this is How to Eat & Drink Your Way Through Pittsburgh in 48 hours...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Pittsburgh. All thoughts & opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

I think that by now you all know that I am no stranger to the Pittsburgh area. Having lived most of my life just a short 2 hour drive away & having a husband who is a huge Pittsburgh Pirates fan, we make the little road trip to the Steel City quite a few times each year. One thing that I have been amazed and impressed by over the last 5 or 6 years is just how much the landscape of the local food scene in Pittsburgh has grown & changed! 

Last month I had the privilege to team up with Visit Pittsburgh once again to join them on their Taste of Pittsburgh tour. We spent two days eating and drinking our way through Pittsburgh. From a tasty stroll of Market Square, through the well known & ever growing Strip District area (so aptly named for the flat strip of land that it is built on- get your mind outta the gutter! ;) ), and finally to the top of Mount Washington for dessert and breathtaking views of the city...

How to Spend 24 Hours in Portland, Oregon

From where to eat, must-see sights, and local festivals, this is How to Spend 24 Hours in Portland, Oregon...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

I have to admit that this post has been long overdue, you all. I actually visited Portland, Oregon for the first time when I attended the Indulge conference last May, but this post kept getting pushed to the back burner. 

Not only was this trip my first time visiting the city of Portland, but it was also the first time that this East Coast gal traveled all the way to the West Coast. I ended up spending about 53 hours in the city before catching an overnight flight back to Pittsburgh. 

Can I just say that the 3-hour time difference is sort of brutal?? I didn't think that 3 hours could make such a profound difference, but I came back home exhausted. Like I crashed on the couch for a solid 3 hours. In the middle of the day. And I don't nap during the day, folks. Like ever.

But enough about the trials and tribulations of traveling across the country and through 3 different time zones. Let's talk about Portland, shall we? ;) 

Let's just say that you happen to find yourself with only 24 hours to spend in the city- an unexpected or planned layover, or maybe a free day during a work conference, or maybe you live within driving distance and want to spend the day in the city. 

I have gathered some of my best ideas for spending a whole day in Portland, Oregon, & I am sharing them all with you in today's post. Granted, I do not think that for 5 seconds that my 2 day+ experience in the city makes me an expert on all things Portland. But I will say that I was amazed at how much you could pack into a day while visiting there....

Where to Eat in Gettysburg

Gettysburg isn't just for history buffs! This city also offers its visitors a very delicious and vibrant local food scene making it the perfect getaway for die hard foodies as well...

This post was created in partnership with Destination Gettysburg. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

(Updated May 2023)

Food happens to be a big part of our family travels. I genuinely believe it is one of the best ways to get a true feel for the flavor & local vibe of any new city or area that we visit. We do have a few rules in place when dining out while we are traveling though...

1. No fast food restaurants or national chains, aka nothing that we can eat back in our hometown on any ole day of the week.
2. Locally owned & operated. Bonus points if most or all of their menu happens to be locally sourced as well.
3. And they must be family friendly (a decent kids' menu, friendly atmosphere), but still appeal to the adults (aka, the hard core foodies) and the almost adult in the family. ;)

During our recent visit to Gettysburg a few weekends ago, not only did we get to immerse ourselves in the rich history and Civil War heritage of the city, but we also got a taste of the city's local food scene largely thanks to our friends at Destination Gettysburg. 

From local coffee spots to dining in buildings where history was created to locally crafted brews, Gettysburg is not just for history buffs, folks. Gettysburg also has a very delicious and vibrant local food scene making it the perfect getaway for die hard foodies as well...

My Ohio Dairy Adventure

A big thank you to the American Dairy Association Mideast for sponsoring my Ohio Dairy Adventure. All thoughts & opinions expressed below are my own.

I have to say that one of the most rewarding perks of my blogging career so far (other than being able to pay the bills) is having the opportunity to travel, learn, and meet some pretty amazing food bloggers and people in the food industry along the way. I was afforded another one of these amazing travel experiences the week before last when I took a road trip to Cleveland, Ohio as part of the Ohio Dairy Adventure. Okay, I know what you all may be thinking right about now- just what is an Ohio Dairy Adventure? ;) Let me enlighten you all...

It started with a cheese and wine pairing at the House of Blues that was followed by a day spent exploring two local dairy farms (there was also some cheese thrown in between the two farms), then an amazing dinner in a NFL stadium, followed by a morning of learning about the American Dairy Association Mideast's initiatives in Cleveland's public schools, and the whole trip ended with even more cheese- but ooey, gooey melted cheese that time around. Notice a theme here? (Psssstttt... cheese!)

But we all know that we wouldn't have all the cheese without the dairy, right? And where does the dairy (aka, milk) come from? Cows, of course! So, it only seems fitting to start there with the story of my recent Ohio Dairy Adventure experience... 

5 Simple Tips for Sticking to a Travel Dining Budget

Staying on a dining budget while traveling is easy with my 5 Simple Tips for Sticking to a Travel Dining Budget...

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Visa Clear Prepaid program and 

the Green Dot® Reloadable Prepaid Visa® Card.

If you happen to travel at all- whether it be once a year for a family vacation or you take multiple road trips throughout the year- you probably already know that dining out while traveling can really eat up (pun intended ;) ) most of your travel budget pretty quickly. 

Being a foodie and food blogger, experiencing the local food scene in a new city ranks right up there in my top priorities when traveling. And because of that, the dining out expenses can really start adding up. Mainly because I want to try it all. 

Since my family and I love traveling, we have had to find ways to keep our dining budget in check because going over it one too many times means less trips throughout the year as our annual travel budget is depleted. Savvy savings and sticking to a budget with our travel dining = more trips as a family for the year! :)

So what are my best tips for staying on a travel dining budget? I am sharing my top five with you all below...

Exploring Shenandoah Valley's Culinary Trail

From breweries & wineries to wood fired pizzas & a creamery, this is how you Explore Shenandoah Valley's Culinary Trail in Virginia...

I traveled to Harrisonburg, Virginia as part of a Trekaroo campaign with Go Blue Ridge Travel. While I was provided compensation for this post, all opinions are my very own.

My family and I recently spent two fabulous fun and food packed days in the lovely Harrisonburg area of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Other than driving through Harrisonburg on our way down south, this was our first time really spending time in the area and I can say one thing for sure, folks- we fell in love with it! Like it has made our short list of possible places we would like to move to in around two years from now when my son graduates high school. Yep, Harrisonburg and its surrounding beauty made that much of an impression on us. ;)

As you all are about to find out, I wasn't kidding when I say that our weekend exploring the culinary trail of Shenandoah Valley was packed with fun and food... lots of delicious local foods. To break it down and make it easier to share everything with you all, I am breaking our whole trip down into categories- Hands-On Local Food Experiences, Local Eats & Restaurants, Family Friendly Fun, and lastly I will gush about the lovely Massanutten Resort that we had the pleasure of staying at for 3 nights...